Washington to be a Major Player in Free Agency

Mike Jones of the Washington Post reports that the Redskins plan to be big players in free agency as soon as the lockout is lifted. The ‘Skins are said to have a lot of cap space and general manager Bruce Allen is watching and waiting for the moment he can spring into action.

Allen says he remains confident that the league’s labor dispute can be resolved, but believes that it must be handled through negotiations rather than litigation. When that collective bargaining agreement is reached, teams can have contact with players, offseason practices can resume, and free agency can commence.

If the two sides agree on free agency rules like last year’s uncapped market, only players with six years of experience or more will be unrestricted free agents. But if the rules are similar to those used in 2009, the league would have one of the biggest free agent classes ever. Either way, the Redskins, who have significant cap space, are planning on being active.

Players believed to be on the Redskins’ shopping list include Nnamdi Asomugha, Cullen Jenkins, and Aubrayo Franklin. They should also be active on the quarterback market.